New owners for Riverwalk Restaurant

Mario Buffa, who has operated Joe and Mimma’s restaurant in Grafton with his family for more than 40 years, is the new owner, according to a release from the York County Economic Development Authority.

Buffa purchased the restaurant from Tom Austin, who has decided to scale back his business in order to spend more time with family. Austin also owns Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill off Merchants Square in Williamsburg.

Buffa plans to introduce a new menu over time and will construct a permanent outdoor roof to extend the outdoor dining season, both scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day 2013.

The new owner also has leased the nearby space formerly occupied by the retail store, Stars and Stripes, where he will open a casual restaurant with a wood-fired pizza oven and a selection of micro-brews. There’ll be live music each week and outdoor seating as well. Buffa hopes to have it open by mid-May.